168. Michael Welch, OBE: The 'Michelin Man' who knows a thing or two about more than just tires

Prior to Blackcircles.com, Michael started his 1st online tyre business in 1995 in Liverpool, England, he was 17, he sold that business to UK fast fit chain KwikFit who hired him as the head of e-commerce prior to Ford's £1 billion acquisition in 99, after which he spent time in the US assisting Ford.

In 2019 Michael launched Tirescanner.com, a US tire retail marketplace. Tirescanner is the first tire retailer to provide a true concierge service, providing tire installation scheduled online through a network of accredited mobile van and shop partners from 24 hours after purchase.

In 2021 Tirescanner merged with Tirebuyer.com to create one of America’s largest online tire retailers with over 11,000 installers across the USA. Bringing together Tirescanner’s strategy & expertise with TireBuyer’s scale the aim is to create the countries leading online tire experience.

Timestamps:

[1:10] How did you end up in Miami and how did it all begin? Fascinating from start to finish. [

7:30] What happened after The Prince's Trust?

[10:00] How did you deal with everything happening so quickly?

[13:00] What was your vision?

[16:30] When did you set up Blackcircles and how did it take off?

[28:55] Did you always think you were going to sell?

[30:40] What happens after the mega-deal is done? It's not necessarily what you think.

[35:50] When did you set up Tirebuyer?

 

Find out more about Michael Welch here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackcircles/

 

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